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Aaron Ekblad first defenceman named ‘exceptional player’

By Daniel GirardAaron Ekblad, 15, is the first defenceman ever given “exceptional player” status, allowing him to play a year early in the Canadian Hockey League. There’s no doubting his strength, or maturity.

Wed., Sept. 21, 2011

BARRIE—At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Aaron Ekblad has the build to handle the weight of expectations now resting on his shoulders. But, at age 15, the question is more about his maturity to be able to do so.

Ekblad, a native of Belle River, Ont., near Windsor, is the first defenceman ever granted “exceptional player” status, which allows him to suit up in the Canadian Hockey League a year early. The only other player given that status was John Tavares in 2005. Ekblad set to make his debut for the OHL’s Barrie Colts here Thursday against the Kingston Frontenacs.

“I know I’m ready,” Ekblad said in an interview before a practice with teammates who range in age from 16 to 20, the norm across junior hockey.

Ekblad has experience facing older kids. He played a year ahead of his age group in each of the past two seasons. And he was dominant.

“His athletic ability is second to none,” said Todd Lalonde, a former Sudbury Wolves player and head coach who had Ekblad at the Sun County Panthers minor midget AAA team in southwestern Ontario last season.

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“It’s a no-brainer,” he says when asked if Ekblad is ready for this step.

“I think the sky’s the limit for this kid,” said Lalonde, who lauds Ekblad’s skating, puck-handling, shot, work ethic as well as maturity on and off the ice.

Last season, Ekblad had 34 points in 30 regular season games and added 21 points in 18 playoff games.

Looking for a bigger challenge to help improve his game, Ekblad, with the blessing of his parents, applied to be deemed exceptional and available for the OHL draft a year early.

After a six-week review by a Hockey Canada panel that assessed his academic standing, psychological maturity and on-ice ability, Ekblad’s application to be the only player born in 1996 in the draft was approved unanimously.

The Colts, who finished last in the 20-team OHL last season and allowed a league-worst 348 goals in 68 games, took him first overall.

“We recognize he’s a very young person and he’s going to have his work cut out for him adjusting to the OHL game and the demands of being a student athlete,” said commissioner David Branch, who is also CHL president.

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Watching Ekblad, Branch said “he stood out because of his on-ice ability.” But then, after meeting him and his parents, “any concern I had about him not being ready were dismissed” by his maturity and their support.

A tremendous raw talent who has been compared to Chris Pronger, Sergei Zubov and even Bobby Orr, Ekblad appears unfazed by the pressure.

“What people expect from me and I expect from myself are two different things,” he said. “I’m a pretty level-headed guy and I’m going to do what I can to try and win every night. My teammates and coaches know that.

“As long as I do that, I’m doing my best and all those expectations will be accounted for. If I can do that, I’ll be a good hockey player.”

Tavares went from being the top OHL pick of the Oshawa Generals to the first choice in the 2009 NHL draft by the New York Islanders, where the 21-year-old last week signed a six-year, $33 million (U.S.) contract extension.

While convinced making the early move to the OHL “definitely led me in the right direction” both as a hockey player and a person, Tavares said he still recalls the challenging transition, from homesickness to independence.

Tavares also remembers hearing criticism for the first time as people questioned if the jump was good for him in the game and in life.

“I don’t think I really understood all of that at the time, but the league does a tremendous job evaluating whether you’re ready or not,” Tavares said. “I’m sure Aaron’s more than ready off the ice, as he is on it.”

Two things are immediately evident when you meet Aaron Ekblad.

The first is his size. While 6-foot-3 defencemen who weigh 200-plus pounds are not uncommon, even in junior, he looks even bigger given his age.

Secondly, after he speaks, you almost want to demand to see his birth certificate. He’s thoughtful. He’s articulate. He’s confident but possesses way more humility than the headlines suggest he should.

Instilling such qualities in Aaron — and his 17-year-old brother, Derien, a goaltender and London Knights draft pick playing Junior B in Leamington — mean a lot more to Lisa and Dave Ekblad than the boys’ statistics.

“We’re not so worried about the exceptional hockey player part,” said Dave Ekblad, a chartered accountant with an auto parts supplier. “It’s much more important that they’re seen as exceptional people.”

Lisa Ekblad, a nurse practitioner, admits “I wish I was still making his breakfast.” But she said Aaron’s move became easier when she realized rather than focusing on why he shouldn’t go, she looked at why he had to.

“I realized he needed just to be 15 and go for his dreams,” she said.

One of those advising the Ekblads was Orr, who began playing for the Oshawa Generals at age 14 and went on to have a Hockey Hall of Fame career with the Boston Bruins.

While maintaining Ekblad “didn’t have to go (to the OHL) to improve,” Orr said, “I think he’s ready for that challenge.”

“He’s going to have his ups and downs. It’s a big step for the kid,” said Orr, who had 21 points in 34 games during his 1962-63 rookie season with Oshawa. “He’s going to need support and I’m sure he’s going to get it.

“This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon,” Orr said. “He has a great opportunity to do very well in this game but he’s got a long way to go.

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